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April 09, 2014 | Europe Eurasia: Poland

“You just gave me a chance for a better, more comfortable life”

By Lynn Erickson

Janusz Szkurłat, pictured, shares how his life changed. “I’m very grateful and would like to [say] thanks for the gift. Thanks to the hearing aids I feel better during the competitions or training sessions, I have better contact with friends and colleagues. I am confident. I’m very glad that [the] aids are very small and do not bother me in my daily life. The best thing is that nobody notices I have them! Once more thank you!”

Two of our athletes from Poland found themselves in a situation many Special Olympics athletes encounter when they – like 1 in every 4 Special Olympics athletes worldwide – failed a hearing examination. Marcin Marcin and Janusz Szkurlat then had another shared experience: they received the follow-up care they needed quickly. The two had taken part in a free health screening at a Special Olympics Healthy Athletes clinic. Following the clinic, Special Olympics Poland worked with partner Hear the World Foundation to ensure athletes who had failed hearing examinations at the clinic received the follow-up care they needed. Miernik and Szkurlat both received hearing aids.
“I would like to thank you for the hearing aids, which not only gave me confidence, increased sense of safety, but mainly greatly facilitated contacts in my work and with my friends,” Miernik said. “You just gave me a chance for a better, more comfortable life. Thank you.”

About Lynn Erickson: Manager, Health Communications for Special Olympics